The biggest reason this is surprising? For months we've been hearing about how nervous and cautious companies are getting, due to the global slowdown and the fiscal cliff.

Poll after poll (which includes the regional Fed surveys) have shown a downturn in hiring plans.

And the chart that's gone the most viral on Wall Street is this one, showing the year-over-year decline in core Capital Expenditures. Yet it's clear that in reality, the jobs picture is gathering steam.